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PLEASE HELP!!! Some input would be great

Aluzi

Member
Mayah, my 8 year old female is mysteriously ill.

Approximately a month ago, she has been gradually slowing down her eating habits. She's been losing weight, falling behind on typical walks (even in nice weather, not too hot). Shes' ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE FOOD JUNKIE ever since a pup (used to literally SIT in the food bowl so her littermates couldnt eat). NEVER EVER been known to turn down a treat, ALWAYS has to get up and greet me; even if i've only left the house for 5 min. or disappeared to the upstairs bathroom for a few min ).

As of two days ago, she's stumbling like a drunk, BARELY eating, panting heavily on and off and RELUCTANT to move around at all. She still is drinking water but I don't think she's drinking enough. She just isnt motivated to GET UP and get over to the kitchen. I can barely even get a tail wag outta her.

Now I lost my big guy due to heart failure. The heavy panting, fluid build-up in his lungs, eventual seizures, loss of weight, distended stomach, etc so I am all TOO FAMILIAR with those symptoms but the reason Im so freaked out is because:

**I took her to the vet yesterday and EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT FINE???!!!!??**

The only red flag, from his medical perspective was that she was running a temp of 105. (hers has ALWAYS been at 100.5). Bloodwork looked good. White blood cell count was slightly elevated, but just slightly. Lyme disease? no. Heart? Says its really strong. Infection? low white blood cell count, so probably not.

He gave her an antibiotic shot and amoxicillin to take over the next week.

The only medical problem that stands out is that her foot got infected about three weeks ago. Swelled up rather large, then the skin broke and she was oozing some puss. I've no idea how it happened. I went to trim her nails and noticed it.

Initially she was licking it, but then I started cleaning it with hydrogen peroxide and then wrapping it with a gauze and cotton sock so she couldn't lick it anymore. The vet looked it over and he couldnt even tell where the problem was. She's healed quite nicely.

Sorry for the LONG POST but if anyone has any insight I would GREATLY APPRECIATE it!!!

Im just completely freaked out. I was prepared to lose her at about 10-12 years old but NOT NOW. She's only 8 and she's always been IMPECCABLY healthy...

Thank you for listening
 

Tailcreek

Well-Known Member
Hmmm....I would guess she is experiencing some type of infection. It really could be any number of things going on. Did your vet suggest any other diagnostic tests at all?

Did you have her tested for lyme disease? is she spayed? maybe do an x-ray to look for any intestinal blockage? chest x-rays? urinalysis?

Perhaps a secon opinion from another vet is in order...

Good luck

Jennifer
www.tailcreekmastiffs.com
 

Sabrina

Well-Known Member
lyme disease...thats a good suggestion...wish i could be of more help....just want to offer you my support...
 

Bentley

Well-Known Member
I am not qualified to offer my own advice but you should get a second opinion from a vet that is not related to the practice you usually visit. Never be afraid to get a second opinion, vets are not infallible.
 

Aluzi

Member
Yesterday, took her in for the xray - they found a HUGE mass. Tumor that had wrapped around a green pus filled sack (????)

It was forcing her intestinal track WAY UP towards her spine, rather than sitting in the lower section of her tummy.

Said to do exploratory surgery with the likelihood she would not make it.
Once they got in her, the vet said the tumor was much too intertwined in her vitals and that he couldnt remove it.

Euthanize was advised.

---------- Post added at 04:27 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:24 PM ----------

What I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS - HOW DID THEY NOT SEE THIS GIANT MASS????

She had an x-ray done about 6 months ago. Guess no one saw it??? it was pretty big; bigger than the size of an average grapefruit.
My poor thing, i didn't even know she had this!!! I feel like I failed her...
 

Aluzi

Member
What I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS - HOW DID THEY NOT SEE THIS GIANT MASS????

She had an x-ray done about 6 months ago. Guess no one saw it??? it was pretty big; bigger than the size of an average grapefruit.
My poor thing, i didn't even know she had this!!! I feel like I failed her...
 

Bentley

Well-Known Member
Don't feel like you've failed her, you obviously took care of her and took her to the vets when needed and anyway, cancers often grow too fast so that by the time there are symptoms they are too late to treat. Don't feel guilty, you cared for her as much as you could and that is all that any of us can hope to do.
 
I'm so sorry to hear about your puppy (I call them puppies no matter how old they are). I know what it's like to have a sick puppy and it is heartbreaking. Sometimes things just happen that are out of our control. Don't feel that you failed her.
 

anyeone

Active Member
I'm so sorry. Sometimes it does come on fast, you mustn't blame yourself. It's just horrible regardless, I am very sad for you and poor Mayah.